Bath taps from Lidl.

That would have been my next point. It is cheap so "buy it".

My first apprentice bought a set of cheap screwdrivers. Non of the drivers were of the PZ type and therefore useless for what he needed. The apprentice said "they were cheap" I told him they were the most expensive screwdrivers in the world as he would never use them.

Adam

You could equally as well have bought an expensive set of screwdrivers which didn't do what you needed - like spanners of the wrong size.

I've not bought many tools from Lidl - but those I have are of decent quality and were a very good price. Perhaps the best is a set of long and short Torx, long and short metric Allen keys and a reversible hex drive ratchet handle for under 10 quid which has proved very useful. The other Torx and Allen sets I have fit a 3/8 socket set so are rather larger and not so versatile.

That's irrelevant if the ones they sell are the ones you want. You are missing a lot of good deals if you only ever buy from shops that carry a comprehensive range.

MBQ

Therein is exactly the point.

What constitutes a "deal"?

Is it something where somebody walks into a store or sees a one item promotion on a web site and impulse buys something because of the price?

Alternatively is it something where somebody decides that they needs a particular item, looks for what they want in a place that has a range of choice at different price points and selects what they want, commensurate with a price that they are willing to pay?

I consider that the second is a "deal", not the first because there is a match to customer need, choice and price, whereas the first is just an impulse buy.

It is very clear that these promotions of Lidldi stores are there solely to hook in gullible punters who will impulse buy things on price that they don't really need. They hope, of course, that the punter will then buy more things.

By shopping around. If Aldi/Lidl have what you want then go back there to buuy it.

Why do you assume that people who shop there are limiting their choice? Does shopping in a Clark's shop limit your choice of shoes? Of course it doesn't, there are other shoe shops to choose from.

MBQ

... and how long does that take?

Does Lidl stock bathroom taps as a comprehensive range? No. Are they on some kind of promotion? Usually.

There are indeed. The difference is that Clarks is a shoe shop and that's its business. Lidl is a food supermarket that brings in odd items on the cheap for marketing promotions to impulse buyers.

You buy bath taps on impulse? Is there a name for this condition?

I don't know of such a thing - do you?

Every supermarket I've ever visited sells a variety of household goods as well as food. And a tap is a household good...

Do you only buy lamp bulbs from an electrical wholesaler to make sure you have a good choice?

Sure. Waitrose is one example - here anyway.

Washing powder etc.

That's stretching it.

Usually specialist lamp suppliers these days and in bulk.

Definitely not. I don't buy anything on impulse.

Andy - I'm surprised you use supermarkets such as Waitrose.

What's the matter with specialist food suppliers such as greengrocers, fruiterers, dairies, butchers, fishmongers &c? They're much more likely to have more choices than a 'supermarket'.

As a vegetarian I eschew butchers and fishmongers, but I do get most of my fruit 'n' veg from a local independent greengrocer. Only in a dire emergency do I use multifood outlets - as it happens I've only ever seen Guinness Marmite in Waitrose, so I do have to pop in there now and again :-))

I didn't say that I did.

I agree with you.

Ask yourself why there has been decimation of the specialist food suppliers. It hasn't happened to anything like the same degree in France for example. There are also street markets selling very good quality produce whereas here, much of it is rubbish.

The conclusion is that people want to buy on price and will accept any old rubbish. Compare any UK supermarket with a French one and the difference is stark in terms of quality and presentation of product.

Finding good quality ones is a challenge.

Never seen that. Sounds very attractive,

The one here sells more than food.

It's pretty clear why Waitrose are dearer than Lidl. You can get half a dozen wheelchairs side by side down the aisles, and you're never more than 6" away from a helpful member of staff. I'd rather not pay extra for stuff I don't regard as a benefit, such as lighting to make their tasteless vegetables look enticing

I get the impression Harrod's food hall is about as far down market as Andy will venture.

Have you ever been in there? It's pretty boring. Besides, they don't have a Royal Warrant any more. Plus, who would want to slog into central London to go food shopping - or any kind of shopping for that matter.

I prefer the small specialist places.

Medically = EgoesIMMegosumIMMegosumegoes syndrome.

Colloquially = "I'm IMM I am, IMM I am, I am."

(I fit the winders of the widder next door. Next day they wuz on the floor. And every one was ... well, you can fill the rest in yerself lady.)

Hardboard

You really should get professional help.